October 15, 2008

Hijack Attempt Thwarted on Turkish Plane

by ssavage

A Turkish Airlines plane from Antalya, Turkey, continued Wednesday to its destination in Russia after a hijacking attempt failed, airline officials said.

Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Officer Temel Kotil said the plane. with 167 passengers on board, was about to land in St. Petersburg after an incident in which passenger tried to send a note saying he had a bomb and was hijacking the plane, Hurriyet reported.

Kotil said the passenger apparently was drunk and the cabin crew confirmed that he wasn't armed.

CNN reported other passengers subdued the suspect.

"There is nothing negative inside the plane right now," Kotil said.

Initial reports indicated the plane sent out a hijack signal while over the Black Sea, Hurriyet said.